Boris The Sprinkler: Suck

The lovably spastic Reverend Norb is the frontman and foundation of Boris The Sprinkler, Green Bay's second most famous export. The group's rapid-fire punk draws influence from the likes of The Clash, The Cramps, Angry Samoans, and the Buzzcocks, with fun, goofy songs that lack subtlety but not good song titles. From the lyrics and the band's get-up on the cover—an assortment of loud shirts, goofy posturing, and a Wolverine costume—it's easy to compare Norb and company to a punk "Weird Al" Yankovic, and, like Yankovic, the band is inclined toward humor in a way that makes it easy to overdose on the shtick. Thankfully, that shtick is kept in check on Suck. The album's longest song, "My Radio Is Telling Me To Kill (The Guys On My Radio)," is only 2:40, and it's the funniest and catchiest song here. Even the occasional clunkers can be forgiven, since they're invariably over before two minutes have gone by. One of the two unlisted bonus tracks contains the entire album minus Norb's now-famous monologues and song introductions, and it may be a good idea to start there: Norb's narration can annoy even the most die-hard BTS fans. If you pick up Suck, you probably won't wear it out, but it's a joy to have around when the right mood strikes you. (Go-Kart, P.O. Box 20, Prince St. Station, New York, NY 10012)